Gather for Soul Reports (5 min)
• Youth will gather in a circle and sing “Sanctuary” and offer soul reports about how their week was, and any praises or concerns
Introduction of the Scripture (5-8 min)
• Scripture can be offered in a variety of ways: group reading, acting out, storytelling, video, song – as long as it gets heard once without interruptions by one reader
• Today: Read the scripture Matthew 5:38-42 – read the story once through, then have everyone read it aloud once so they have heard it a number of times
Message (5 min)
• The message will have the same application concept as the sermon, but at a more appropriate level, and should also contain some context and content information about the passage.
• Today: Hard lessons – This is not an easy scripture. They all are going to know what it means to be made fun of, hurt, taken advantage of, and they need some time to say all that. Let them just talk for a bit about all the people that have been mean to them or asked them to do something they didn’t want to do. Then have them extend the verse with modern day things like: “If your mom asks you to take out the trash, unload the dishwasher as well. If a classmate you don’t like asks you to be their partner, play with them at recess too.”
Application (10-15 min)
• This is where things like a project with a purpose (not just a craft), role play, and other application activities fit in – making it the most interactive of the worship
• Today: An Action Plan- The hardest part of turning the other cheek is in the follow through, and that means having a plan. Give each child a notecard that they can create an action plan for turning the other cheek. A step by step guide for dealing with people that are mean to them. (You might want to tell them about civil disobience in the Civil Rights Movement so they can see it is possible to respond to pure hatred with peace and Christian Love.) Have them make 2 versions of their action plan, and give one to you. I will laminate them and get them back to them so they have a lasting reminder. (If you want volunteers can practice turning the other cheek while kids are mean to them, a little risky, but might be worth it, just feel out the group, and remind them it is just practice and no one means the things they are saying to hurt their feelings)
• If time: The movie Selma, Lord, Selma is a great example of not responding to hate, let them watch Chapter 4, Timestamp 24:50 (if time)
Communion (5-8 min)
• Youth will sing “Let Us Break Bread Together” and gather at the table for a real communion meal. After the adult prepares the group for communion with words and prayer the youth will have a slice of bread, glass of juice and have a “Meal of Remembrance” until everyone finishes.
• Youth will be reminded that while they are eating the conversation needs to be about Christ: bible stories, things they know or learned about Jesus, or questions they are curious about – a weekly reminder will be given that communion is about remembering Jesus, and the words of the institution.
Closing (5 min)
• This should be a time to summarize and review the message and application with a short conversation, closing prayer, and end with the song “Bind Us Together”
• If worship isn’t finished yet, youth will quietly return to the sanctuary for the end of the service.
